Another month of this 2012 year over. Of course time passes too quickly, we all know that, which is why I take the time every single day to take a few pictures. That single moment captured in time that will remain forever.

Today our adventures took us East. We walked out the door and headed in an easterly direction until our feet decided it was time to head home.

I stopped along the way to snap some color in our neighborhood. The weather was perfect, a breezy partly-cloudy 77 degrees. Rather warm for these parts, but it was nice outside.

Perfection for me is a state of mind. Feeling blessed, is a state of mind. I am not saying my life is perfect, and rained upon by the gods of "Happiness', "Fortune", "Good Health", or by God himself. Nothing, or no one, is that perfect or has such a golden life.

However, I sincerely feel that all that good fortune, happiness, and blessings, do indeed reside in my brain.

It is a state of mind.

Life is by no means perfect. I have the same problems that everyone else experiences. A not-so-great marriage, Rheumatoid Arthritis, a daughter who has no clue who I am, who I really am, four mischievously stubborn sons, a seriously overcharged procrastination gene, ridiculously high utility bills, a single gray hair that resides on my left eyebrow. "Really gray hair? Is it not enough that you own 90 percent of the real estate on the top of my head?" The list goes on.

Now let me explain the blessed perfection....

"None of it really matters to me!"

I reside in a mental state of "being" where I have learned to accept the things I can not change. I no longer take anything personally. I have realized that everyone on this planet comes with their own character, and their own pre-conceived notion of "me", and none of that matters as long as "I" know who I am. And I do.

We all have a story. I have a story. The key to a happy life...in my humble opinion... is that you do not go through life re-living, obsessing, re-telling, feeding that story. Instead, take today, take this opportunity in life to create a new story. A good story, a happy story, a positive story where circumstance, tragedy, genetics, and hard luck are NOT the writer...YOU are now the writer. You yourself determine the path of the story line....not fate, not all the people you feel have done you wrong, not all that negative baggage and spooky skeletons in the closet waiting to pounce! Rawrrr....

*poof*

Sure life can be hard, and it can really suck, but so what? Life only sucks if you let it. We all have the "God" given intelligence to move on, rise above, and make the best of whatever time we have left on this planet.

I chose happiness.

And I chose to live with that gray hair that feels the need to invade the space over my left eye. "Hello gray hair." (Who am I kidding here...where are my tweezers?) *pluck* Ahhhh, now life has found balance. Nirvana....

Have a stupendously magnificent weekend.

I know I will. :)

My photos of the day...

What is this curious little shrine?

I placed the zen garden that Kori and Garret brought me on my windowsill. Over time, more treasures have gathered there.

Blake has added most of them. I single silk carnation, a pink granite egg, a beautiful sea shell, and a mayonaise lid of interesting rocks he found in the garden. All for mama. :)

I keep saying that everyday is "the perfect day", but today was indeed the perfect day. My son Brandon came over with my grandson Cooper! I was so happy and excited to see them.

Cooper ran right into my arms and melted grandma's heart. We had some fun playing in the front yard, then came inside to visit for a while. He came over to me, crawled up on my lap just like old times, and snuggled with me for a while. It felt wonderful holding him in my arms again.

He is so animated and funny, and is saying a lot of words now too. He knows what he wants, and knows just how to ask for it too. It is hard to believe he is only 15 months old. He acts so much older than he is. What can I say, my grandchild is a brilliant, beautiful child...just like his daddy. :)

I took a million and a half photos...here are my favorites.

My photos of the day...

My gorgeous son Brandon. The best daddy in the world!

I shared a fortune cookie with Cooper, and it reads..."Stop searching forever. Happiness is just next to you."

Today has been one of those days where it feels magical to breathe. There is much about life I wish I could change, and that I wish could be better, but on days like today...there is nothing wrong with my world.

I leashed up Dozer, slipped on my walking shoes, put on my straw hat, and told Blake it was time to explore our neighborhood. I really haven't taken the time to do that since we moved because I was missing living in the foothills so much. Well that and when you stop a good brisk exercise program, it is hard to start back up again.

So today we walked out the front door adventured west, as far as our feet would take us...and it was awesome. :)

My photos of the day...

Beautiful colors.

The most peculiar weather vane I have ever seen.

Daffodils.

My Blake. <3

St. Marks.

A seagull. Yes, we have seagulls in Boise....but no sea? :)

Snow in the mountains.

Flowers for mom.

For dinner I made baked potatoes, sausage gravy and stir fried edamame. It was delish!